Winch with Multiple Work Modes

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure discloses a winch comprising a transmission shaft disposed in a longitudinal direction, a motor in drivable connection with the transmission shaft, a three-stage center wheel rotatably mounted on the transmission shaft, an upper planetary wheel frame mounted on the three-stage center wheel, a lower planetary wheel right frame mounted on the outer side of the three-stage center wheel, a convex extending from an end of the upper planetary wheel frame, a connecting ring mounted on the three-stage center wheel which is longitudinally movable relative to the convex, and a position control mechanism to control longitudinal movement of the transmission shaft, wherein the three-stage center wheel is in contact with one end of the connecting ring, and a spring is disposed between the other end of the connecting ring and the upper planetary wheel frame.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims priority to Chinese PatentApplication No. 201720430155.8, filed on Apr. 24, 2017, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a winch, and in particular, to a winchwith multiple work modes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A winch is a warping cone having means for driving power, deceleratingand braking, which may be used for winding and storing ropes with thehelp of the driving power. A winch also includes self-protection andtraction components equipped on vehicles or ships with an axisperpendicular to a deck. Winches are usually used for rescuing in harshenvironments such as snowy grounds, swamps, seashores or muddy roads. Inother situations, winches may be used for clearing obstacles, draggingitems and installing equipments. As a necessary safety device, winchesare applied in various occasions of utilization such as military andpolice, oil, hydrology, environmental protection, forestry,transportation, public security border control, fire emergency and otheroutdoor activities. Off-road vehicles, agricultural vehicles, ATVall-terrain vehicles, yachts, fire rescue vehicles, road wreckers andother special-purpose vehicles are among vehicles which are usuallyequipped with winches.

A Chinese patent number ZL201310063776.3 discloses a winch apparatusincluding a driving component, a transmission shaft, a decelerationmechanism, a clutch mechanism, and a roll tube. The driving component isconnected to the transmission shaft. The deceleration mechanism isdrivably connected to the deceleration mechanism through the roll tube.The deceleration mechanism is drivably connected to the roll tubethrough the clutch mechanism. The winch apparatus is characterized inthat one end of the transmission shaft is slidably engaged with anoutput end of the driving component, a reset spring is disposed betweenthe one end of the transmission shaft and the output end of the drivingcomponent, the reset spring surrounds the transmission shaft, one end ofthe reset spring is in contact with the output end of the drivingcomponent, the other end of the reset spring is in contact with aretaining ring connected to the transmission shaft. The clutch mechanismincludes a pushing component which is in contact with the other end ofthe transmission shaft and used to push the transmission shaft in anaxial direction, and a transmission component rotatably disposed on thetransmission shaft which is used to drivably connect the roll tube andthe deceleration mechanism by sliding axially with the transmissionshaft.

Another winch of the prior arts is disclosed in Chinese Patent NumberZL201610473915.3 which enables a winch to work in multiple word modessuch as a high speed mode, a low speed mode and an idle mode. The winchas disclosed comprises a motor, a transmission shaft, a roll tube, afirst planetary wheel component, a second planetary wheel component, anda third planetary wheel component. A spline and a three-stage centerwheel are disposed between the second planetary wheel component and thethird planetary wheel component. The spline and the three-stage centerwheel are moveable in response to movement of the transmission shaft.The winch as disclosed is operable in three word modes by moving thespline along with the transmission shaft. In a first work mode, thespline is drivably connected to both the second planetary wheelcomponent and the third planetary wheel component. In a second workmode, the second planetary wheel is drivably connected to the secondplanetary wheel component. In a third work mode, the spline is drivablyconnected to both the second planetary wheel component and thethree-stage center wheel. A resetting spring is connected to thethree-stage center wheel which is used to push or reset the resettingspring. The winch comprises a work mode controlling mechanism to enableaxial movement of the transmission shaft thereby switching the splineamongst the work modes described above. However, the winch as disclosedimplements a spline to connect the second planetary wheel component, thethird planetary wheel component and the three-stage center wheel. Duringswitching of work modes, a spline incompletely engaged would cause stuckof the planetary gearbox and damage the inner structure of the winch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure discloses a winch comprising: a transmissionshaft disposed in a longitudinal direction, a motor in drivableconnection with the transmission shaft, a three-stage center wheelrotatably mounted on the transmission shaft, an upper planetary wheelframe mounted on the three-stage center wheel, a lower planetary wheelright frame mounted on the outer side of the three-stage center wheel, aconvex extending from an end of the upper planetary wheel frame, aconnecting ring mounted on the three-stage center wheel which islongitudinally movable relative to the convex, and a position controlmechanism to control longitudinal movement of the transmission shaft,wherein the three-stage center wheel is in contact with one end of theconnecting ring, and a spring is disposed between the other end of theconnecting ring and the upper planetary wheel frame.

In some embodiments, the three-stage center wheel comprises one of ashaft shoulder on an outer wall, said shaft shoulder being in contactwith the connecting ring.

In some embodiments, the three-stage center wheel comprises apositioning ring on an outer wall, said positioning ring being incontact with the connecting ring.

In some embodiments, the spring is mounted between a first convex ringdisposed on the connecting ring and a second convex ring disposed on theupper planetary wheel frame.

In some embodiments, the convex comprises inner gear teeth, and theconnecting ring comprises outer connecting ring gear teeth adapted tothe inner gear teeth.

In some embodiments, the position control mechanism comprises abackstopping clutch connected to the motor, a snap ring disposed on thetransmission shaft, a retainer spring disposed between the snap ring andthe backstopping clutch and a position adjusting component disposed onan end of the transmission shaft, wherein the position adjustingcomponent comprises a handle, a shift fork in connection with thehandle, a clutch stand in contact with the transmission shaft, and arotating ramp component to control longitudinal movement of the clutchstand.

In some embodiments, the rotating movement of the shift fork isconsistent with the clutch stand.

In some embodiments, the rotating ramp component comprise a raised rampto allow movement of the transmission shaft toward one end, a sunkenramp to allow movement of the transmission shaft toward the other end,and two flat ramps to maintain the transmission shaft in a substantiallycentral position.

In some embodiments, the two flat ramps are disposed oppositely.

In some embodiments, and the raised ramp and the sunken ramp aredisposed between the two flat ramps.

In some embodiments, the winch further comprises a transmission splinedisposed on the transmission shaft adjacent to the three-stage centerwheel, and two retaining rings disposed oppositely on the transmissionshaft, wherein the transmission spline and the three-stage center wheelare located between the two retaining rings.

In some embodiments, the winch is operable in a first work mode in whichthe connecting ring engages with both the lower planetary wheel rightframe and the convex, and a gap is formed between the three-stage centerwheel and the upper planetary wheel frame.

In some embodiments, the winch is operable in a second work mode inwhich the connecting ring engages with the convex, and a gap is formedbetween the three-stage center wheel and the upper planetary wheelframe.

In some embodiments, the winch is operable in a third work mode in whichthe connecting ring engages with the convex, and the three-stage centerwheel engages with the upper planetary wheel frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawing, in which likereferences indicate similar element, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the overall structure of a winchin a high speed work mode according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a winch in a high speed work modeaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a winch in an idle work modeaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a winch in a low speed work modeaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a breakdown illustration of a winch according to anembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a breakdown illustration of the connecting ring, thethree-stage center wheel and the transmission shaft of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One of objectives of the present disclosure is to solve at least someproblems of the prior art by providing a winch with multiple work modesof high reliability which could allow smooth and precise work modeswitching.

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments of the presentdisclosure will be described herein using terms commonly employed bythose skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilledin the art that alternate embodiments may be practiced with only some ofthe described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers,materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. It will beapparent that alternate embodiments may be practiced without thespecific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted orsimplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms to indicate or imply any relativeimportance. These terms are only used to distinguish one element fromanother. For example, a first element could be termed a second elementwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The termscenter, upper, lower, left, right, vertical, lateral, inner, outer, etc.may indicate directions or positions as illustrated in some of thedrawings. These terms are only used in order not to obscure thedescription, and should not be construed as an indication of aparticular positional relation or sequence. As used herein, the termand/or includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listeditems. The terms connected, coupled or any variant thereof means anyconnection or coupling either direct or indirect between two or moreelements. Such a coupling or connection between the elements can bephysical, electrical, logical or a combination thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, a winch according to some embodiments include amotor 7, a transmission shaft 4, a transmission spline 61, a warpingcone 6, retaining rings 41, a deceleration gearbox 71, a connecting ring8, a spring 9, a plurality of planetary wheel components and a work modecontrol mechanism 5.

In some emnbodiments, the motor 7 is disposed on one end of the warpingcone 6, and the deceleration gearbox 71 is disposed on the other end ofthe warping cone 6. The transmission shaft 4 is connected to an outputshaft of the motor 7 on one of its ends. The transmission shaft 4extends through the warping cone 6. The other end of the transmissionshaft 4 reaches into the deceleration gearbox 71. The work mode controlmechanism 5 which is used to enable axial movement of the transmissionshaft 4 is located outside of the gearbox 71. The plurality of planetarywheel components are contained with the gearbox 71. In some embodiments,three or four planetary wheel components are comprised in the pluralityof planetary wheel components. Although the embodiments as shown in theaccompanying figures implement three planetary wheel components, theskilled in the art will anticipate a wide variety of alternate and/orequivalent embodiments or implementations utilizing more or lessplanetary wheel components to achieve the same purposes may besubstituted for the examples as shown without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure. In the embodiments utilizing three planetarywheel components, a first planetary wheel component 1, a secondplanetary wheel component 2 and a third planetary wheel component 3 areincluded in the deceleration gearbox 71. One end of the transmissionshaft 4 is drivably connected to the first planetary wheel component 1through the three-stage center wheel. The first planetary wheelcomponent 1, the second planetary wheel component 2 and the thirdplanetary wheel component 3 are connected in turn to form a decelerationtransmission configuration. The first planetary wheel component 1 andthe second planetary wheel component 2 are connected by conventionalapproach to form a two-level deceleration transmission configuration.The second planetary wheel component 2 and the third planetary wheelcomponent 3 are connected using the transmission structure describedbelow. In some embodiments, the upper planetary wheel frame comprisesthe planetary wheel frame 21 of the second planetary wheel component 2.The three-stage center wheel comprises the three-stage center wheel 31of the third planetary wheel component 3. The lower planetary wheelright frame comprises the lower planetary wheel right frame 32 of thethird planetary wheel component 3.

The transmission structure between the second planetary wheel component2 and the third planetary wheel component 3 is discussed in detailhereinafter. Two retaining rings 41 are disposed oppositely on thetransmission shaft 4. A transmission spline 61 and the three-stagecenter wheel 31 are located between the two retaining rings 41. Thetransmission spline 61 is in drivable connection with the warping cone 6to enable rotation of the warping cone 6. In some embodiments, thetransmission spline 61 is a rectangular spline. The transmission spline61 and the three-stage center wheel 31 are rotatably located on thetransmission shaft 4. The lower planetary wheel right frame 32 of thethird planetary wheel component 3 is disposed on the three-stage centerwheel 31. The planetary wheel components 34 of the third planetary wheelcomponent 3 is disposed on and in engagement with the transmissionspline 61. The planetary wheel components 34 are disposed between thelower planetary wheel left frame 33 and the lower planetary wheel rightframe 32. The planetary wheel components 34 engage with the three-stagecenter wheel 31. Furthermore, the planetary wheel frame 21 is mounted onthe three-stage center wheel 31. A convex 211 extends from an end of theplanetary wheel frame 21. The convex 211 comprises inner gear teeth onits inner wall. The planetary wheel frame 21 also comprises inner gearteeth in a substantial central position which may engage the inner gearteeth on the convex 211. Similarly, the lower planetary wheel rightframe 32 comprises inner gear teeth in a substantial central position. Aconnecting ring 8 is dispose on the three-stage center wheel 31. Theleft end of the connecting ring 8 is in contact with the outer wall ofthe three-stage center wheel 31. Various implementations are possiblefor achieving contact of the connecting ring 8 with the three-stagecenter wheel 31. In some embodiments, the connecting ring 8 is incontact with a shaft shoulder 311 disposed on the outer wall of thethree-stage center wheel 31. In some embodiments, the connecting ring 8is in contact with a position ring disposed on the outer wall of thethree-stage center wheel 31. A spring 9 is disposed between the rightend of the connecting ring 8 and the upper planetary wheel frame 21. Inorder to improve the installing reliability of the spring 9, a firstconvex ring 81 is formed on the right end of the connecting ring 8. Thespring 9 can be disposed between the first convex ring 81 and a secondconvex ring formed on the outer wall of the upper planetary wheel frame21. A second convex ring is formed on the outer wall of the upperplanetary wheel frame 21. The two ends of the spring 9, andparticularly, two inner rings on the ends of the spring 9 are connectedto the first convex ring 81 and the second convex ring, such that thetwo ends of the spring 9 are secured. Outer connecting ring gear teethare formed on the outer wall of the connecting ring 8 which are adaptedto the inner gear teeth on the convex 211.

Three work modes as shown in the FIGS. 2-4 are possible for thetransmission shaft 4 using the work mode control mechanism 5. In a firstwork mode where the transmission shaft 4 is positioned on the left end,the connecting ring 8 engages with both the lower planetary wheel rightframe 32 and the inner gear teeth on the convex 211, and a gap is formedbetween the three-stage center wheel 31 and the upper planetary wheelframe 21. In a second work mode where the transmission shaft 4 ispositioned in a substantially central position, the connecting ring 8engages with the inner gear teeth on the convex 211, and a gap is formedbetween the three-stage center wheel 31 and the upper planetary wheelframe 21. In a third mode where the transmission shaft 4 is positionedon the right end, the connecting ring 8 engages only with the inner gearteeth on the convex 211, and the three-stage center wheel 31 engageswith the inner gear teeth on the upper planetary wheel frame 21. Thethree work modes would be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

The work mode control mechanism 5 comprises common technical means inthe art. Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure would onlyprovide simple description about structures of the work mode controlmechanism 5. A backstopping clutch 51 is disposed on the left end of thetransmission shaft 4 which is connected to the motor 7. One or more snaprings 53 are disposed on the left end of the transmission shaft 4. Aretainer spring 52 is disposed between the snap ring 53 and thebackstopping clutch 51. A position adjusting component is disposed onthe right end of the transmission shaft 4. The position adjustingcomponent comprises a handle 54, a shift fork 55 in connection with thehandle 54, a clutch stand 56 in contact with the transmission shaft 4,and a rotating ramp component 57 to control movement of the clutch stand56 along the transmission shaft 4. The shift fork 55 is inserted intothe clutch stand 56, such that the rotating movement of the shift fork55 is consistent with that of the clutch stand 56. The rotating rampcomponent 57 comprise a raised ramp to allow movement of thetransmission shaft 4 toward the left end, a sunken ramp to allowmovement of the transmission shaft 4 toward the other end or the rightend, and two flat ramps disposed oppositely to maintain the transmissionshaft 4 in a substantially central position. The raised ramp and thesunken ramp are disposed between the two flat ramps. Upon rotation ofthe handle 54, the shift fork 55 drives the clutch stand 56 to rotate ina synchronized fashion. The clutch stand 56 drives the transmissionshaft 4 to move leftwards compressing the retainer spring 52 as theclutch stand 56 contacts the raised ramp of the rotating ramp component57. The transmission shaft 4 is maintained in a substantially centralposition when the clutch stand 56 contacts the flat ramps of therotating ramp component 57. When the clutch stand 56 contacts the sunkenramp of the rotating ramp component 57, the transmission shaft 4 ispushed rightwards by the retainer spring 52.

FIG. 3 illustrates an idle work mode of the winch where the transmissionshaft 4 is maintained in a substantially central position, theconnecting ring 8 engages only with inner gear teeth on the convex 211,and a gap is formed between the left end of the three-stage center wheel31 and inner gear teeth of the upper planetary wheel frame 21. The motor7 drives one stage of the three-stage center wheel 31, which in turndrives the first planetary wheel component 1 and the second planetarywheel component 2. In particular, the upper planetary wheel frame 21included in the second planetary wheel component 2 rotates and drivesthe connecting ring 8 to rotate in response thereof. Since theconnecting ring 8 is in rotary connection with the three-stage centerwheel 31, the connecting ring 8 rotates beyond the outer wall of thethree-stage center wheel 31 without transmitting the driving force tothe three-stage center wheel 31 and the lower planetary wheel rightframe 32. The warping cone 6 remains motionless in the idle work mode.

When the handle 54 is rotated to drive the clutch stand 56 and push thetransmission shaft 4 leftwards, the transmission shaft 4 drives theconnecting ring 8 towards t. The elastic force of the spring 9 pressesthe connecting ring 8 against the outer wall of the lower planetarywheel right frame 32. The connecting ring 8 thus rotates in response tothe upper planetary wheel frame 21. When the outer connecting ring gearteeth of the connecting ring 8 becomes aligned with the inner gear teethof the lower planetary wheel right frame 32, the connecting ring ispushed into the inner gear teeth of the lower planetary wheel rightframe 32 and engages with the lower planetary wheel right frame 32. Inthis situation, the clutch stand 56 contacts the raised ramp of therotating ramp component 57. The rotation of the connecting 8 isassociated with the rotation of the lower planetary wheel right frame32. The lower planetary wheel right frame 32 in turn drives the lowerplanetary wheel left frame 33, the planetary wheel components 34, thetransmission spline 61 and the warping cone 6. As shown in FIG. 2, thewinch thus operates in a high speed work mode since the third planetarywheel component 3 takes no part in deceleration.

When the handle is rotated to push the clutch stand 56 from the flatramps to the sunken ramp, the transmission shaft 4 moves towards theright with the retainer spring 52. The three-stage center wheel 31 pushthe connecting ring 8 upwards toward the upper planetary wheel frame 21.The elastic force of the spring 9 which is in contact with theconnecting ring 8 becomes lesser than the elastic force of the retainerspring 52. The right end of the three-stage center wheel 31 contacts theinner gear teeth of the upper planetary wheel frame 21. As the upperplanetary wheel frame 21 rotates, the retainer spring 52 pushes thethree-stage center wheel 31 into engagement with the inner gear teeth ofthe upper planetary wheel frame 21. The clutch stand 56 then contactsthe raised ramp of the rotating ramp component 57. In this situation,the upper planetary wheel frame 21 in turn drives the three-stage centerwheel 31, the planetary wheel components 34, the lower planetary wheelleft frame 33, the transmission spline 61 and finally the warping cone6. As shown in FIG. 4, the winch thus operates in a low speed work modesince the third planetary wheel component 3 is used for deceleration.

In summary, the present disclosures add a connecting ring 8 outside thethree-stage center wheel 31 and uses a spring 9 to maintain theconnecting ring 8 between the three-stage center wheel 31 and the outerwall of the upper planetary wheel frame 21. A work mode controlmechanism 5 is configured to switch the work mode of the winch bycontrolling axial movement of the transmission shaft 4. When thetransmission shaft 4 is positioned at a left end, the winch operates ina high speed work mode in which the connecting ring 8 engages with boththe lower planetary wheel right frame 32 and the convex 211, and a gapis formed between the three-stage center wheel 31 and the upperplanetary wheel frame 21. When the transmission shaft 4 is positioned ata substantially central position, the winch operates in an idle workmode in which the connecting ring 8 engages only with the convex 211,and a gap is formed between the three-stage center wheel 31 and theupper planetary wheel frame 21. When the transmission shaft 4 ispositioned at a right end, the winch operates in a low speed work modein which the connecting ring 8 engages with the convex 211, and thethree-stage center wheel 31 engages with the upper planetary wheel frame21. A reliable switching of different work modes can be achieved byadjusting the relative axial position of the connecting ring 8 to thethree-stage center wheel 31, the upper planetary wheel frame 21 and thelower planetary wheel right frame 32.

Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described hereinfor purposes of description, a wide variety of alternate and/orequivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the samepurposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and describedwithout departing from the scope of present disclosure. This applicationis intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodimentsdiscussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodimentsdescribed herein be limited only by the claims and the equivalentsthereof.

1. A winch, comprising: a transmission shaft disposed in a longitudinaldirection; a motor drivably connected with the transmission shaft; athree-stage center wheel rotatably mounted on the transmission shaft; anupper planetary wheel frame mounted on the three-stage center wheel; alower planetary wheel right frame mounted on an outer side of thethree-stage center wheel; a convex extending from an end of the upperplanetary wheel frame; a connecting ring is mounted on the three-stagecenter wheel and is longitudinally movable relative to the convex; and aposition control mechanism for controlling a longitudinal movement ofthe transmission shaft; wherein the three-stage center wheel is incontact with a first end of the connecting ring, and a spring isdisposed between a second end of the connecting ring and the upperplanetary wheel frame.
 2. The winch of claim 1, wherein the three-stagecenter wheel further comprises a shaft shoulder on an outer wall, andthe shaft shoulder is in contact with the connecting ring.
 3. The winchof claim 1, wherein the three-stage center wheel further comprises apositioning ring on an outer wall, and the positioning ring is incontact with the connecting ring.
 4. The winch of claim 1, wherein thespring is mounted between a first convex ring disposed on the connectingring and a second convex ring disposed on the upper planetary wheelframe.
 5. The winch of claim 1, wherein the convex further comprisesinner gear teeth, and the connecting ring comprises outer connectingring gear teeth adapted to the inner gear teeth.
 6. The winch of claim1, wherein the position control mechanism further comprises abackstopping clutch connected to the motor, a snap ring disposed on thetransmission shaft, a retainer spring disposed between the snap ring andthe backstopping clutch and a position adjusting component disposed onan end of the transmission shaft, wherein the position adjustingcomponent further comprises a handle, a shift fork connected with thehandle, a clutch stand in contact with the transmission shaft, and arotating ramp component for controlling the longitudinal movement of theclutch stand.
 7. The winch of claim 6, wherein a rotating movement ofthe shift fork is consistent with the clutch stand.
 8. The winch ofclaim 7, wherein the rotating ramp component further comprises a raisedramp for allowing a movement of the transmission shaft towards one end,a sunken ramp for allowing a movement of the transmission shaft towardsan other end, and two flat ramps for maintaining the transmission shaftin a central position.
 9. The winch of claim 8, wherein the two flatramps are disposed oppositely.
 10. The winch of claim 9, wherein theraised ramp and the sunken ramp are disposed between the two flat ramps.11. The winch of claim 10, further comprising a transmission splinedisposed on the transmission shaft adjacent to the three-stage centerwheel, and two retaining rings disposed oppositely on the transmissionshaft, wherein the transmission spline and the three-stage center wheelare located between the two retaining rings.
 12. The winch of claim 11,wherein the winch is operable in a first work mode in which theconnecting ring is engaged with both the lower planetary wheel rightframe and the convex, and a gap is formed between the three-stage centerwheel and the upper planetary wheel frame.
 13. The winch of claim 12,wherein the winch is operable in a second work mode in which theconnecting ring is engaged with the convex, and a gap is formed betweenthe three-stage center wheel and the upper planetary wheel frame. 14.The winch of claim 13, wherein the winch is operable in a third workmode in which the connecting ring is engaged with the convex, and thethree-stage center wheel is engaged with the upper planetary wheelframe.